Can anyone explain the skull jewelry thing to me? :)

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surfergirljen

surfergirljen

Ooooh, pretty!
O.G.
Feb 24, 2009
3,184
59
#1
I'm honestly so curious... and hope this does not offend anyone here! I know that not everything is beautiful to everyone, but I would love someone to explain the SKULL thing. All those McQueen rings and scarves and jewelry and tattoos... and okay I'm a pretty girlie girl, I know - but I just don't get it! But I would love to understand what others see in it. :shrugs:

To me it is scary. Is that the point? I honestly look AWAY from them. I don't think they're beautiful at all ... they remind me of death and evil and dug-up-rotting-haunted bodies crawling out of the pool in Poltergiest. :wtf: Skulls and skeletons give me nightmares! If I saw one on my hand all day or engraved into my skin (or DH's next to me) I think I wouldn't be able to sleep!

Why do people love skulls? Please enlighten me! :)
 
#2
I like them :D I think they're like any icon - you dig 'em or you don't. Some people love flowers, or Hello Kitty, etc. . .
It's kind of just a fun way to add a little punk to your style w/o it being so big and obvious.
 
#3
Skull, skeleton and other memento mori jewelry has been around for at least 500 years. The original intent was to remind the wearer of his or her mortality and the need to live virtuously. Since then, it has evolved to have many different interpretaions and is now popular with a wide range of people, from rock stars to Goth teenagers to collectors of antique jewelry. Personally, I see the skull/skeleton motif as a reminder to cherish the day and live fully because you never know how long you will be here.

I don't own any skull jewelry, but I like a lot of it. Some of the most interesting antique rings, brooches and necklaces have the memento mori theme. If you do a search for Georgian and Victorian jewelry, in particular, you will see some really intricate and fabulous designs. Having said that, I can see why some people would not be attracted to it. It's all a matter of personal taste.
 
#4
I agree that it is simply a matter of personal taste. It is a good way to add some edge to an otherwise more classic outfit. It is a nod to a wilder past for some people. Many people don't see the appeal in a lot of different things, especially when there is an almost cult-like following or obsession with it. For example, I love McQueen but I don't get Hello Kitty. That doesn't mean Hello Kitty is bad, just that it isn't for me.
 
#5
How about a Hello Kitty skull!?:devil: That would be awesome.

I think skulls/skeletons are just something you like or you don't. Just like some people wish that Halloween decorations were appropriate year round. It's not that we're morbid or evil, we just aren't into the super straight, sweet, bland world.

I have always loved skulls, but I am very interested in the supernatural, old religions and myths too. I'm fascinated by old style potions & poisons, but I like flowers & hearts too!
 
#6
surfergirljen said:
I'm honestly so curious... and hope this does not offend anyone here! I know that not everything is beautiful to everyone, but I would love someone to explain the SKULL thing. All those McQueen rings and scarves and jewelry and tattoos... and okay I'm a pretty girlie girl, I know - but I just don't get it! But I would love to understand what others see in it. :shrugs:

To me it is scary. Is that the point? I honestly look AWAY from them. I don't think they're beautiful at all ... they remind me of death and evil and dug-up-rotting-haunted bodies crawling out of the pool in Poltergiest. :wtf: Skulls and skeletons give me nightmares! If I saw one on my hand all day or engraved into my skin (or DH's next to me) I think I wouldn't be able to sleep!

Why do people love skulls? Please enlighten me! :)
Click to expand...

I agree with you on all points, Jen! :smile1: And I've often wondered the same.

When Keith Richards wears a skull ring I get it. He looks half-dead already. It works for him. But for anyone else who's not a pirate and/or rock star....no.
 
#7
Here is my two cents:
I see beauty in everything. I am very scared of horror movies, to be honest, especially the gory ones, but I love a pretty skull. I am actually not a fan of human skulls. I find bird skulls to be quite pretty. I feel that the lines are quite graceful, as are bird wings.
Here are some skulls that I find appealing:
I have this is in sterling silver:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/56815149/14k-solid-rose-gold-hummingbird-skull
 
#8
I love skulls and hello kitty....try to figure that one out?!

I agree with others....it's just a matter of preference. I like sugar skull jewelry more than straight up skulls.
 
#10
Hehe I've never really thought about it as an actual 'skull' but just as a McQueen logo but now I think of it as a proper skull and what is represents! :woot: eeek!

It's not my scene at all, but as Haute Mama mentioned, each to their own (except the people I know, if they wore one would get an ear-bashing hehe).......
 
#11
darkangel07760 said:
Here is my two cents:
I see beauty in everything. I am very scared of horror movies, to be honest, especially the gory ones, but I love a pretty skull. I am actually not a fan of human skulls. I find bird skulls to be quite pretty. I feel that the lines are quite graceful, as are bird wings.
Here are some skulls that I find appealing:
I have this is in sterling silver:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/56815149/14k-solid-rose-gold-hummingbird-skull
Click to expand...
What an awesome/unique shop! I'd love to get the 14kt Hummingbird skull with the diamond or ruby eyes. Prices are very reasonable!!!
I'm older but I love this kind of stuff. Go figure :graucho:
Thanks
 
#12
darkangel07760 said:
Here is my two cents:
I see beauty in everything. I am very scared of horror movies, to be honest, especially the gory ones, but I love a pretty skull. I am actually not a fan of human skulls. I find bird skulls to be quite pretty. I feel that the lines are quite graceful, as are bird wings.
Here are some skulls that I find appealing:
I have this is in sterling silver:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/56815149/14k-solid-rose-gold-hummingbird-skull
Click to expand...

I'm with you there, skulls are fascinating.

But back OT. I always thought it was a goth or biker thing that's imitated for fashion.
 
#14
Diamond Dazed said:
Skull, skeleton and other memento mori jewelry has been around for at least 500 years. The original intent was to remind the wearer of his or her mortality and the need to live virtuously.....

.
Click to expand...

I Love this!!

HauteMama said:
I agree that it is simply a matter of personal taste. It is a good way to add some edge to an otherwise more classic outfit. It is a nod to a wilder past for some people. Many people don't see the appeal in a lot of different things, especially when there is an almost cult-like following or obsession with it. For example, I love McQueen but I don't get Hello Kitty. That doesn't mean Hello Kitty is bad, just that it isn't for me.
Click to expand...
Totally agree! I don't understand Hello Kitty at all. I've also though about asking on here for someone to explain it to me. It's probably where I live. Here only 5 year old girls have Hello Kitty things.

BigPurseSue said:
LOL!!!

I do think they can be beautiful. Like the sugar skull stuff or the vintage ornate pieces. I don't own any but thats only because the right piece hasn't found its way to me yet. There is a member on here who makes the beaded wrap bracelets with the skulls on the ties...if I wasn't saving for other things right now, I'd totally get one of those. I am a bit edgier though. I don't really do flowers or hearts. I'm also very tattooed. I just like things with a lot of meaning and depth behind them. And artsy stuff.
Click to expand...
 
#15
Although I fancy myself a Pirate Girl (even have my very own Pirate Song) with a big pirate fetish, they only thing with a skull around me should be the ship's flag. :D

I don't get the skull prints/deco much either, but I 'm not very bothered with them. I got a shirt last winter which turned out it had 1 (only one) button out of the 6 in the shape of skull, which I don't like at all, and I usually cover up with a brooch or a scarf.

BTW I like scary stuff, and I like all things Gothic especially architecture and literature. Just not really fond of skulls. :shrugs:
 
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